Good News: Update on Visa Fee Decision

Good News: Visa Fee Decision Delayed to 2024
League of American Artists
July 20, 2023

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported that a final decision on new visa fees and rules will not occur until March 2024. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is still considering the high volume of public feedback on the massive fee increases proposed in January 2023, and will take those comments into account before issuing final rules that set new fee levels and the date the fees would go into effect. Orchestras, partnering with global arts entities and policy leaders, have been speaking up in opposition to the fee increase. The League of American Orchestras went on record alongside 120 arts organizations and businesses in joint comments to oppose proposals that would more than triple the current artist visa filing fee, cap the number of beneficiaries for group petitions, and lengthen the time USCIS has to respond to petitions filed via Premium Processing Service. These messages were reinforced in comments from Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. 

The League and partners at the national and international level continue to work together to press for comprehensive improvements to the artist visa process and will share updates as they come. In the meantime, please continue to refer to the League’s artist visa resources for help in navigating the visa process.

For more information, click here.